Sorry, you've had to wait so long for this chapter everyone! I hope this makes up for it!
Madianna- Hal and Mercutio are crazy. Full stop.
YorkistGirl- Not quite! You'll find out what they're doing in this chapter!
BessWoodville- Tybalt's a definite King of Cats!
When it gets to the singing point, you should probably put the song "Move your Feet" by Junior Senior up playing on another window, so you get in the dancing mood with the Gang.
Enjoy!
"LET THEM KNOW IT'S CHRISTMAS TIME!" Clarence sang, hanging upside down on the gym equipment, waving his arms around manically. He grinned. "FEED THE WORLD! LET THEM KNOW IT'S CHRISTMAS TIME!"
"Clarence, get down from there!" Richard shouted, standing below where Clarence was swinging wildly. "You'll hurt yourself!"
Clarence grinned. "Relax, little brother! It's Christmas!"
"Warwick will kill you!"
"No he won't!"
"CLARENCE!" Warwick bellowed, storming over to the other side of the room in quick, long strides. "Get down there now, before I have you suspended for vandalism!"
"See!" Richard said. "George, get down NOW!"
"Who are you, our mother?" Clarence giggled.
"No. But I'M YOUR principal!" Warwick seethed. "Now, GET DOWN!"
"Relax, Warwick, baby! Chill!"
Warwick looked like he was about to blow his top, when Ned picked up his slingshot, aimed, and fired at his brother.
"OW!" Clarence cried. "NED! What are you even doing here?! You're meant to be at home, managing the business!"
Warwick grinned smugly. "I know, but I called him in. I wonder what your mother will say when she finds her son drunk, and vandalising school property?"
Clarence's eyes widened. "You wouldn't…"
Ned grinned. "We would, and you know it…"
"You didn't…"
"We did."
"I'M COMING DOWN!" Clarence yelled, and scrambled to get back upright, but fell off and hit the bars as his foot got wrapped up in the ropes, leaving him hanging there comically.
Edmund came over grinning, and held up his phone. "Guess who just recorded that?" he snickered.
Clarence frowned. "Edmund, I'm going to kill you for this!" he cursed, shaking his fist.
"I don't think so…" Edmund and Edward said together- with raised eyebrows and creepy smiling grins- in unison.
"Uhhh, stop that! I hate it when you two do the creepy twins impression!"
"We-" Edward said.
"Can't help it," finished Edmund.
"We're brothers," they said together.
Clarence groaned. "Yeah, and I'm your brother as well, but I don't go around doing that with Richard, do I?"
"Clarence, just get off the gym equipment…" Warwick sighed, a hand on his head.
"Fine." Clarence leaned over and tried to get his foot free, but couldn't. He shook around wildly, and banged his head again.
Laughing, Ned aimed at his younger brother's foot, while Edmund held up the phone, and the two grinned as Ned fired and Clarence fell on the floor, clutching at his foot in pain.
"And… Send!" Edmund said, laughing as he pressed something on his phone.
Clarence looked up, still rubbing his foot, angry. "You didn't… Post that up on Facebook!"
"Yep! Facebook, Yahoo and YouTube!"
"NOOOO!" Clarence cried, leaping for the phone, but his older brothers held it out of reach.
"Too late George!" Edward laughed. "It's the internet's now!"
Warwick gave a small, tired smile. "Okay, boys…" he chuckled. "Go off and dance with your girlfriends or something."
The boys stopped bickering, and slowly dispersed, but not before Warwick called out: "Edward!"
Ned turned, smiling.
"Your father. How is he?"
Ned's face turned serious. "He's okay… Better actually since last week."
"What did the doctors say?"
"To stop working. Edmund and I are old enough now to take over. He doesn't like it, but he can't do anything about it."
"The finances are running well?"
"Well, the stock market's been a little slow, but I'm trying it fixed, and-"
He stopped when he saw Elizabeth Woodville out of the corner of his eye. Straightening his tie, and clearing his throat, he walked past Warwick- patted him on the shoulder saying: "See ya later, Warwick. A lot later"- and headed over to her.
Warwick frowned. What had just happened?
Richard stood, holding a can of alcohol in his hand, and watched as Ned flirted with the women, Clarence sang badly, and Edmund spoke with some of his geeky friends. Hal and Mercutio had been picked up and placed in the corner on top of one another, snoring loudly. No one seemed to notice. They were all busy singing, dancing or talking with one another to care. That made Richard smile: youth was such a carefree, happy time…
Richard turned his head, laughing as Clarence soaked Edmund with a jug of water, and the latter chased after him, but frowned when he saw Anne sitting alone on the bench. Her head was bowed, and her hand again was resting on her stomach. She hasn't been herself lately, Richard noticed, and that familiar sensation of worry mixed with curiosity filled him. Standing up straight, he walked over to her.
She didn't seem to notice him, until he stood right next to her. When she did notice him, her eyes widened and she jumped, obviously scared. "No…" he swore he heard her whisper. "Get away from me E-"
He leaned over and placed a hand her shoulder. "Anne. It's me. Richard."
Anne stared at him for a moment, and then realisation came over her, and she shook her head. "Oh. Oh, it's you, Richard."
"Are you okay?"
"Yeah, Yeah, I'm fine."
"Why aren't you dancing or talking with anyone?"
"I'm just not in the mood."
Richard sat down next to her. "I'm sorry."
Anne raised an eyebrow. "For what?" she asked.
"That you're sad."
Anne laughed. "You are funny sometimes, Richard!" but Richard wasn't laughing. He looked serious. "I mean it."
Anne stopped laughing, and she looked apologetic. "I know you did," she said gently, before murmuring: "Sorry."
Richard grinned, miming her: "'Oh you are funny sometimes, Richard!'"
The girl looked mock offended, giving him a light punch in the arm. "Hey! That's not funny, Richard!"
"That's not funny, Richard!" the teen echoed.
"Why you-" and she grinned as she ruffled his hair, causing him to moan in protest.
"Hey, this took me a while to sort out, after Clarence wrecked it!"
Anne smirked. "Now that's funny…"
Richard's eyes widened and shone joyfully. "See! You're happy!"
The reply he got was a half grin, half frown. "I guess I am…" was all she whispered.
Encouraged, Richard placed an arm round her. "Let's have fun! It's Christmas! School's over!"
Anne gave a smile, and leaned into him slightly. "Yeah…" she said. "It is."
And with that, she grabbed hold of a cup of water, and poured it on his head.
Richard gave out a gasp, turning to Anne, half shocked, half laughing, and looked at her blushing, sniggering face.
"Oh! OH! YOU ARE IN FOR IT NOW, NEVILLE!" he laughed, reaching for her. She jumped up and leapt out of the way, and grabbing a cup, he ran after her.
They ran around the hall, dodging people, and he had her cornered, water in his hand, when Anne suddenly saw Edouard- she knew she did- standing before her where Richard stood, his hair dripping water comically onto his clothes.
"Please!" she yelled. "No more, Edouard, no more!"
Richard lowered the cup, and placed it on the floor before kneeling beside her.
"Anne, what's wrong? It's me, Richard."
Anne trembled, but slowly moved her hands away from her face, and looked up at Richard. Her lip wobbled, and she burst into tears, leaning forward and burying her face into Richard's already wet clothing.
Surprised, he slowly placed a hand on her back. "It's okay. I'm here. I won't ever hurt you…"
When Anne had calmed down, Richard took her back to the bench, and sat with her, knowing that it was best not to ask what she had just said.
"Please! No more, Edouard, no more!"
What had he done to hurt her?
"Everyone seems to be a bit gloom and doom in here," Valmont remarked, standing with Ned, Edmund and Clarence, and watched as Anne wiped her tears away with a tissue. "We should liven things up a bit in here!"
"Geoff's usually the one to do that," Ned said. "And he's gone off somewhere."
"Mercutio and Hal are out," Edmund stated, pointing to the two drunks who lay on top of one another- still snoring.
"Music," Clarence suggested. "We need music."
"There's already music playing…" Ned responded.
"I know…" Clarence said, smirking. "But I think I know just the right music to get people dancing. Follow me."
The other three looked at one another as Clarence snuck out of the hall.
"Hey! Hey! You two! Wake up!" Kate commanded, kicking her boyfriend and his idiotic friend until they opened their eyes, groaning."
"Wh- what? Kate? What are you doing?"
"Get up," Kate commanded. "Come on!" and she kicked them again, as Clarence entered the room.
"Morning already?" Mercutio mumbled, sitting up. "That's good! I'm hungry!"
"See, Mercutio's up! Come on, Hal! Get up off your ass!"
"You know you like it…" Hal slurred, grinning. Kate rolled her eyes.
"Whatever. Just move!"
Groaning, Hal got up onto his feet, wobbling as he did so, and looked around.
"The party's still on?" he asked, confused.
"Yay! Party!" Mercutio cheered. "Food!"
Kate rolled her eyes again. "You two got drunk and laid on the floor, SNORING, for twenty minutes!"
"Really?" Hal exclaimed, scratching his head. "I thought it was longer."
"UHHGH!" Kate groaned in annoyance. "You are so dense, Hal!"
"If I'm dense, then why are you dating me?"
Kate slapped him round the face.
"OWWW!" Hal yelled, staggering backwards. "What you do that for?!"
"Good. You're awake, " was all Kate said. She turned to Mercutio. "Do I need to slap you awake too, Mercutio?"
"Nope!" Mercutio grinned. "I don't need to get bitch slapped!"
"Music's changed," Clarence smirked.
"George, what have you done now?!" Edmund exclaimed. "Do we need to get Father in again?"
"Relax, Stress Head," Clarence laughed. "If anyone needs Father in, it's you two!"
Edward and Edmund exchanged glances.
"That's right…" Clarence smirked evilly. "I know that you two ditched the business again. Tut, tut, tut. What will Father say?..."
Edmund looked worried, but Ned stepped in. "Enough, Clarence. Just tell us what you've done."
Clarence's smirk grew wider. "Oh, you'll see…" is all he said.
"FOOD!" Mercutio yelled, running towards the buffet table, and devouring anything he saw, including the napkins. "FOOD!"
"He was only out for twenty minutes…"
"Don't ask me why that kid is mentally insane."
"But you have to love him for it," Hal replied. "Why did you wake us up, Kate?"
"You were scaring off the teachers… No, not really. Clarence is changing the music."
"To what?"
"He won't tell us."
Clarence smirked as he set up the microphones…
Just then, pop music began to play, and everyone started to laugh and dance. Mercutio whipped his head round, sausage roll hanging comically from his mouth. "Mowoo ur weet!" he exclaimed, swallowing his food, and running towards the stage. "Move your feet!"
"What?" was all Hal said.
The beat played out, and Mercutio grabbed hold of the front microphone, looking down as everyone had formed an open circle for people to jump and dance into.
The Gang jumped into the circle, or had joined Mercutio on the stage, or danced together.
Edward: Can't stop!
Everyone: Can't stop!
Edward: Can't stop the beat! Won't stop!
Everyone: Won't stop!
Edward: Won't stop the beat, and go!
(Dive bombs into the middle of the dancing circle, and Mercutio leaps to the front of the stage.)
Mercutio: Everybody, a-move your feet and feel united! Oh! Oh! Oh!
Hal: Oh yeah, Ohhh!
Mercutio: Everybody, a-move your feet and feel united! Oh! Oh! Oh!
Hal: Oh yeah, Ohhh!
The Gang: Yeah!
(Richard smiled at Anne, offered his hand, and the two went spinning onto the dance floor. Lennie suddenly grabs George and swings him round, much to the smaller boy's terror.)
Hal: We're going downtown!
Mercutio: Oh yeah!
Hal: We're going downtown!
Mercutio: Oh yeah!
Hal: We're going downtown!
Mercutio: Oh yeah!
Hal: We're going downtown!
Mercutio: Oh!
(Hermia and Geoffrey came running in, laughing as Tybalt came out behind them, swinging a baseball bat. They dashed into the crowd, and Tybalt roared with rage when he couldn't find them.)
Edward: (dancing in the middle of the circle): Don't - don't - don't - don't stop the beat!
I can't - can't - can't - can't control my feet!
P - p - p - people in the street!
C'mon everybody and move your feet!
Edward: Don't stop!
The Gang: Don't stop!
Edward: Don't stop the beat! I can't stop!
The Gang: Can't stop!
Edward: Can't stop the beat! I won't stop!
The Gang: Won't stop!
Edward: Won't stop the beat, and go!
(Jumps back into the circle again.)
Clarence: Everybody, a-move your feet and feel united! Oh! Oh! Oh!
Edmund: Oh yeah, Ohhh!
Clarence: Everybody, a-move your feet and feel united! Oh! Oh! Oh!
Edmund: Oh yeah, Ohhh!
The Gang: Yeah!
(Mercutio leaps forward, holding onto his microphone.)
Mercutio: We're going downtown!
Hal: Oh yeah!
Mercutio: We're going downtown!
Hal: Oh yeah!
Mercutio: We're going downtown!
Hal: Oh yeah!
Mercutio: We're going downtown!
Hal: Oh!
(Edward breakdancing in the middle of the circle again.)
Edward: Sing - sing - sing - sing - sing my song
And you - you - you - you - you sing along!
Just put - put - put - put my record on
And all of your troubles are dead and gone!
(Climbs up onto the stage, and grabs the microphone.)
Edward: Don't stop!
The Gang: Don't stop!
Edward: Don't stop the beat! I can't stop!
The Gang: Can't stop!
Edward: Can't stop the beat! I won't stop!
The Gang: Won't stop!
Edward: Won't stop the beat, and go!
(Jumps back into the circle.)
Edmund: Everybody, a-move your feet and feel united! Oh! Oh! Oh!
Edward and Clarence: Oh yeah, Ohhh!
Edmund: Everybody, a-move your feet and feel united! Oh! Oh! Oh!
Edward and Clarence: Oh yeah, Ohhh!
The Gang: Yeah!
Oh yeah!
Oh yeah!
Oh yeah!
(Edward jumps onto the stage.)
Edward: Don't stop!
The Gang: Don't stop!
Edward: Don't stop the beat! I can't stop!
The Gang: Can't stop!
Edward: Can't stop the beat! I won't stop!
The Gang: Won't stop!
Edward: Won't stop the beat, and go!
(Jumps back into the circle, and Geoffrey suddenly jumps up onto the stage, winking at Hermia, much to Tybalt's anger.)
Geoffrey: Everybody, a-move your feet and feel united! Oh! Oh! Oh!
His brothers: Oh yeah, Ohhh!
Geoffrey: Everybody, a-move your feet and feel united! Oh! Oh! Oh!
His brothers: Oh yeah, Ohhh!
The Gang: Yeah!
Mercutio, Edmund, Geoffrey: Everybody, a-move your feet and feel united! Oh! Oh! Oh!
Everyone: Yeah!
The song ended, and everyone cheered. Warwick looked impressed stunned even- as he clapped and cheered with the others.
"Look!" Mercutio yelled, grinning as he pointed to the clapping headmaster, "Warwick liked it!"
"I guess he must have enjoyed it!" Hal whooped.
"I'll say!" Hermia said, kissing Geoffrey on the check. "That was superb! You guys should be rock stars!"
"Yeah!" Edward said. "A gang!" He pointed at Richard as he climbed up the stage. "Richard's gang!"
"What?" Richard said, stunned. "Me?"
"Yeah!" Edmund smiled. "You keep us all in order. Keep us together."
"Richard and the Gang!" Mercutio decided, his chest swelling with happiness and pride. "You're our leader, Richard!"
"I am?"
"YES!" the others shouted back at him.
A small smile spread across his face. "But I didn't sing with you."
"You have done before! You're a great singer!"
"Well-"
"PLEASE!" they all went, pulling puppy dog faces.
"Okay…"
"YAY!" and they surrounded him and hugged him.
"GROUP HUG!" Mercutio yelled.
They then turned and bowed to the audience as they cheered.
"Merry Christmas, Gang," Richard smiled.
"Merry Christmas, Richard," they replied.